On November 3rd, Native American candidates won in several statewide races, included Debora Juarez (Blackfeet) who became the first Native American to win a seat on the Seattle City Council.

Joining Juarez in another Seattle first, was the election of Scott Pinkham (Nez Perce) to the Seattle School board.  Pinkham is believed to be the first Native American elected to serve on the school board.

North of Seattle, in Bellingham, Roxanne Murphy (Nooksack) was re-elected to the Bellingham City Council.  In 2014, Murphy sponsored the “Coast Salish Day” resolution to replace the Federal holiday Columbus Day for the city of Bellingham.

Full list of Native candidates who won.

Roxanne Murphy (Nooksack), Bellingham City Council (Incumbent)
Debora Juarez (Blackfeet) Seattle City Council Candidate, District 5
Steve Oliver (Lummi) Whatcom County Treasurer (Incumbent)
Scott Pinkham (Nez Perce) Seattle School Board Candidate Dist 1
Sally Brownfield (Squaxin Island) Shelton School Board
Teresa Noreen Taylor (Lummi) Ferndale City Council
Janie Beasley (Swinomish) La Conner School Board (Incumbent)

These elected officials join a growing list of Natives holding elected positions across Washington State, including state Sen. John McCoy (Tulalip Tribes), Rep. Jeff Morris (Tsimshian), and Rep. Jay Rodne (Bad River Band of Chippewa).

By: Matt Remle

Matt Remle (Lakota), center, is an editor and writer for Last Real Indians and a community organizer. Photo by Damien Conway.